United Way awards grants to local nonprofits

United Way of the National Capital Area announced it is awarding 18 grants totaling $175,941 to 16 nonprofit organizations in Loudoun County at a small ceremony at the Old Courthouse in Downtown Leesburg Jan. 25.

Receiving the grants in Loudoun County are the American Red Cross, Every Citizen Has Opportunities, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, Help for Others, Just Neighbors Ministry, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice, Loudoun Community Health Center, Loudoun Interfaith Relief, Loudoun Literacy Council, Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, Northern Virginia Family Services, Northern Virginia Dental Clinic, The Good Shepherd Alliance, The Salvation Army Loudoun and Volunteers of America Chesapeake.

The American Red Cross promotes healthy living, blood donation and emergency relief. Every Citizen Has Opportunities provides training and job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Just Neighbors Ministry ensures immigrants in Northern Virginia will be welcomed into the community so that they can take their places as self-sufficient, contributing members of mainstream society. Legal Services of Northern Virginia is a full service, nonprofit law firm that serves clients throughout Northern Virginia.

Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice aids both domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Loudoun Community Health Center supports the growing need for health care in Loudoun.

Loudoun Interfaith Relief collects food for the underprivileged. Good Shepherd Alliance and Salvation Army both provide help for the homeless and those in need.

The Loudoun Literacy Council is dedicated to improving literacy throughout the county. Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers help frail elderly and disabled adults maintain independent living.

Northern Virginia Family Services helps individuals and families find new paths to self-reliance and brighter futures. Northern Virginia Dental Clinic is a place for low income families can get oral healthcare. Volunteers for America Chesapeake inspire self-reliance, dignity and hope through health and human services.

The funding for the grants comes through designations to the Loudoun County Community Impact Fund in the United Way NCA’s annual workplace giving campaign.

The Good Shepherd Alliance (GSA) is a Christian non-profit organization providing help and hope for the homeless and near homeless through emergency and transitional housing and referral services. Led by Executive Director Vickie Koth, the organization traces its origins back to 1983 and the efforts of a local pastor from Sterling who wanted to provide assistance for the county’s homeless youth. GSA was the first shelter in Loudoun County and began raising funds to house the homeless for a short time at a local area motel. Area developers then became involved by allowing the use of vacant residences in the spirit of mutual responsibility in addressing the early issues of homelessness.

The organization has since evolved into an exhaustive suite of shelter, case management and outreach services for the greater Loudoun homeless community. Its infrastructure now includes multiple GSA-owned properties that serve as emergency shelters and transitional housing, a Board of Directors, hundreds of dedicated volunteers and a full-time professional staff. The homeless charity, headquartered in Ashburn, maintains emergency shelters in Lucketts and transitional housing in Leesburg and Purcellville. Three thrift stores that generate revenue used to support the GSA’s day-to-day functions are located in Leesburg, Ashburn and Sterling.

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